Overview

This text motivates a more formal approach in theoretical linguistics by investigating the parameters of syntactic variation and simultaneous acquisition of multiple languages. Taking the behaviour of the Null Subject Parameter (NSP) across languages as an example the book raises important questions concerning the adequacy of standard parameter-setting models in the face of compelling evidence from both monolingual and bilingual child speech data. Teresa Satterfield argues that ""universal"" premises guiding well-known parametric approaches complicate attempts to construct an economical bilingual analysis. Further, she demonstrates the compatibility of more recent formulations in linguistic theory (i.e. the Minimalist Program) and studies on language learnability (Clark, 1992, 1993; Kapur, 1994) which present the view that while initially convincing, standard parameter models are potentially costly and less effective in terms of monolinguals. Using Clark's application of the Genetic Algorithm as a point of depature, this text describes a number of computational simulations. These simulations not only demonstrate the nature of the GA-as-language-learner, but offer a more detailed account of the parameter-setting task confronting the bilingual child while also making more predictions regarding the process of syntactic knowledge.

Full Product Details

Author:   Teresa Satterfield
Publisher:   Springer
Imprint:   Springer
Edition:   1999 ed.
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.20cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.980kg
ISBN:  

9780792386490

ISBN 10:   0792386493
Pages:   167
Publication Date:   31 October 1999
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

One: Introduction.- 1.1 Principles and Parameters Theory (P&P).- 1.2 Learnability Models.- 1.3 Genetic Algorithms.- Two: Background for Research.- 2.1 Linguistic Theory and Language Acquisition.- 2.2 Learnability Theory.- 2.3 Approaches to Parameter Fixation: Learning Theories.- 2.4 Implications for Bilingual Acquisition.- 2.5 Implications for Monolingual Acquisition.- 2.6 Conclusion.- Three: Genetic Algorithms and Language Learning Models.- 3.1 Overview of a Simple Genetic Algorithm.- 3.2 Language Learnability and Genetic Algorithms.- 3.3 Genetic Algorithm Implemented in Language Learning.- 3.4 Learnability Properties and Parameter-Setting Models.- 3.5 The Design Problem.- 3.6 Toward a Model of Bilingual Parameterization.- 3.7 Generalizing the Model: The Extended Parameterization Hypothesis.- 3.8 Conclusion.- Four: Analysis of Null Subjects.- 4.1 Properties of the Null Subject Parameter.- 4.2 Linguistic Theory and Null Subjects.- 4.3 The Minimalist Program.- 4.4 Arguments Against the Current MP Analysis.- 4.5 Toward an Alternative Analysis of Null Subjects.- 4.6 Further Consequences.- 4.7 Summary.- 4.8 Conclusion.- Five: Demonstrations.- 5.1 A Bilingual Model.- 5.2 Representation of Null Subjects in Bilingual Acquisition.- 5.3 Implementation and Organization Details.- 5.4 The Learning Task.- 5.5 Conclusion.- Six: Discussion and Conclusions.- 6.1 Evaluation of the Bilingual Model.- 6.2 Motivations for Research.- 6.3 Extensions and Future Work.- Appendix: Bilingual Model Code.

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions